Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Spiritual Direction

I left my spiritual director behind in Virginia. I was surprised when I got to EDS that the school did not supply us with spiritual directors (VTS offers this to its seminarians) and does not maintain a relationship with SSJE -- apparently there is a wait list. Ahh, guess being a seminarian a few blocks away does not give priority.

I spent 1 hour 30 minutes communiting on the 'T' out to Boston College. I did not realize I was going to a convent. It was nice though to connect with someone in a spiritual direction capacity. I admitted my frustration with centering prayer (i don't think it's the practice for me) and my visit to the Zen Center (another visit is in order!). I said my prayer life was as dry as the desert and how profoundly frustrating that is. What would I tell teenagers about prayer and purpose in praying when it is dry, dull, seems one sided and lackluster. To pray should be to feel God's presence. The absence in prayer can be downright depressing. The SD said it could be a period of faitfulness. But why is that necessary? Two years! It is the same story - I prayed, acted on the felt response (joy),did what G*d wanted, and we'll leave it at that.

I think, though, spiritual direction is a discipline that is highly recommended to those who want to "go deep" in their prayer life.